Battle of Brandywine

Battle of Brandywine. September 11, 1777. , The American Right Flank Slows the British Advance , General Adam Stephen’s 3rd and 4th Virginia Regiments situated on the far right end of the American line on the crest of the present day Sandy Hollow Heritage Park held their positions until overwhelmed by superior British and Jaeger forces., Their actions allowed Sullivan’s and Stirling’s forces to escape back down Birmingham Road and through Dilworthtown., At the end of the battle, a British Lt. summarized the fight “The Americans defended their guns to the last, indeed, several officers were cut down at their guns. The Americans have never fought so well before, and they fought to great advantage.”, The damage delivered to Cornwallis’ troops was so devastating and complete that Gen. Howe wrote in his journal that he believed 10,000 Americans held the hill., The Americans’ Last Stand , 6:30 – 7 PM: As Lord Cornwallis’ attack from the north forced the Continentals to retreat, it also threatened to block the road to Chester, the escape route., General Greene, General Weedon and North Carolina troops under Brigadier General Nash attempted to slow down the British. They formed a semicircle south of the Dilworth Crossroads (between today’s Webb and Harvey Roads on either side of Wilmington Pike, today’s Oakland Road)., They were joined in this effort by Casimir Pulaski, a Polish nobleman with military experience and a volunteer officer at the Battle of Brandywine. He asked General Washington to allow him to lead the thirty horsemen, who formed the General’s escort., Pulaski directed the horsemen to strike the flank of British soldiers in the lead of the advance and then withdraw, before the British realized that they were a small cavalry unit that could be easily overwhelmed. The unexpected attack helped to break the British advance, preventing pursuit of the retreating Continentals.